Lawn mower



July 5, 1932. A. G. WAGNER LAWN MOWER Filed Oct. 8. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet July 5, 1932. A. G. WAGNER LAWN MOWER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 8. 1950 ummy N I I H way alterin ma... July 5, .1932

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 33'! (I. WAGNER, OI CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASIIGIIOB TO THE GLOW ELECTRIC OOH- IAIN'Y, OI CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION 03 OHIO LAWN atom Application filed October 8, 1980. Serial No. 487,828.

The present invention relates to lawn mowers and more particularly to an electric power attachment t at can be mounted on an conventional make or size of ordinar han lawn mower to propel the same, wit out in any t e-mower for reception of the power attac ment.

Power driven mowers are of course, well known, and it is also not new 'to convert hand mowers into power driven units, but heretofore it has been customary to form a more or less permanent unit utilizing gears or the like between the source of power and the driven members.

The attachment of the present invention is desi nod for ready placement, and removal from the mower by the mere ad ustment of a pair of clamps.

One of the objects of this invention resides in the provision of control means efl'ective to instantly apply or remove application of ower to the mower without necessitating any lbver or control mechanism other than the conventional lawn mower handle.

Another object contemplates a control of the application of power to the mower and discontinuance thereof merely by lowering or raising the handle of the mower.

To the attainment of the above and other objects which will appear as the description proceeds, reference may be had to the accomanying drawings, wherein like elements are esi ated by like numerals, and in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a lawn mower with the attachment thereon;

Fig. 2 is a top plan of the attachment;

Fig. dis a detail elevation in section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a erspective view of certain elemeits of the evice in dis-assembled relation; an

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail showing a modification of one element of Fig. 4.

Referring more particularly to the drawings it will be noted that the attachment comprises a supporting plate or frame having a longitudinal arm or strut 11 extending therefrom. The frame 10 is substantially T-shaped in outline, the cross or T portion beconventional lawn mower indicated generally at M and having a handle H.

A clamp 13 serves to attach the arm 11 to the handle H at a point ap roximately intermediate its ends while a c amp 14 located below the supportin plate 10, acts as a support or mounting or the attachment at a point on the handle H, adjacent the body of the mower. A motor 15 which serves as a source of power is mounted above the clamp 14 on the plate 10, receiving its current from any convenient supply of electricity, a condoctor 16 and a plug-m socket 17 being provided for the purpose. 18 designates a switch on the motor for controlling current thereto.

Friction wheels 19 are mounted on a. shaft or axle 20, Evhich shaft is supported in bearings 21 at he ends of the T portion of the plate 10, and these wheels will preferably ave rubber traction surfaces 22 which may or may not be corrugated dependin upon conditions. An adjustable connection between the wheels 19 and the shaft will serve to permit an effectual lengthening or shortening of the distance between the traction wheels to permit adaptation of the device to mowers having difierent wheel spread and such connection may readily take the form illustrated in Fig. 3 in which a hub 23 is extended from a wheel 19 and rovided with a pair of oppositely dispose openings 24 adapted to cooperate with one of a series of holes 25 arranged in each end of the shaft 20. A bolt 26 may be used to maintain a definite relation between each wheel 19 and its respective end of axle 20.

While any simple form of wheel may be utilized, the structure illustrated in Fig. 3 rovides a very sturdy and rugged structure, it being observed that the wheel comprises a flange 19a integral with the hub 23 and a flange 19b spaced from flange 19a by a collar 190. The traction element 22 may be slipped over the collar 19c and the flan e or ring 19b then bolted to the flange 19a to old the assembled wheel together. The motor 16 will desirably be mounted with its shaft 27 extending at right angles to the axle 20 and a worm drive 28 will suflice to connect the two ing of a size to fit well within the wheels of a shafts. This mounting is, of course merely suggestive and the motor may if desired be located in any other desired relation for example the motor might be located between the w eels with the ends of its shaft formin the wheel axle; the present embodiment is at suggestive of a preferred form.

The clamp 14 consists of two members arranged to gri the handle 12 on opposite sides thereof, being connected by bolts, and the upper clamping member 29 will be formed in a U-shape having upwardly extendiiyggerforated arms 30. A pin 31 is provi e to connect the arms 30, the perforations serving as a means of height adjustment for the pin 31. The plate 10 has attached thereto, or formed thereon, lugs 32 extending downwardly, the lugs being grooved to receive, and rest upon the pin or bar 31.

A latch comprising angle bar 33 having a down-turned portion 34 is located on the lower side of the frame 10 and provided with an adjustable pin 35 so arranged that it may be extended between the clamping member 29 and the bar 31. The purpose of this pin is to prevent complete dis-engagement of the attachment from the mower handle in certain adjusted positions thereof as set forth hereinafter. This latching means may take various forms, Fig. illustrating a slightly modificd embodiment in which the portion 34 of the angle iron 33 is provided with an integral extension 35a. Except for the fact that no adjustability is possible in this form, it will be observed that the portion 35a functions in the same manner as the pin 35 of Fig. 4.

Having thus described my invention, the

operation and use thereof will be readily apparent. The attachment is placed on the mower with the traction wheels 19 resting on the ground wheels G slightly to the rear of the top center of the wheels G. and the clamps 13 and 14 secured in place. It will be noted that the clamp 14 is separate from the plate 10. and that the lugs 32 together with the bar 31 function as a pivotal support for the attachment. the arm 11 being pivotally attachcd to the clamp 13 as indicated at 37. The wheels 19 and the pin 31 will be adjusted to adapt the attachment to the particular mower with which it is to be used. The adjustment of pin 31 is such that when the mower handle H is in raised position the wheels 19 will rest upon and engage the ground wheels G in driving relation. When the handle H is lowered as indicated in Fig. 1, such action will serve to break the engagement between wheels 19 and G thereby removing the application of power to the mowor, so that after the attachment is mounted in position, the lawn mower may be started or stopped by raising or lowering the handle, such movement of the handle being about the usual pivot P.

The pin 35 (or 3511) supported by the frame will be located, when the attachment is assembled on the mower, between the pin 31 and the clamp portion 29 and will serve to prevent complete detachment of the device from the clam 14, in the event that the mower handle H raised too high about the wheel 19 as a ivot.

It is understoo of course, that the cutting reel R of the mower will be put into operation through its own driving pawls by action of the ground wheels G just as though the mower were being pushed by hand.

The current to the motor is through the conductor 16, when once turned on at the switch 18' need not be cut 011' until the operator is through using the mower. This is possible because of the arrangement by means of which the traction wheels are placed into or out of engagement with the round wheels of the mower, it being possib e to stop the mower without discontinuing operation of the motor. This arrangement is particularly advantageous in cases where a gasoline motor is used rather than an electric motor.

A unit such as described in this ap licationmay be carried in stock by any ardware merchant and can be applied to any conventional hand lawn mower re ardless of make or size. If the mower is to e used in a locality where electricity is not available a small gasoline motor or other equivalent source 0 lieu of the motor 15.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is z-- 1. An attachment, for a lawn mower having a movable handle, comprising a power unit means to detachably mount said unit on the lawn mower handle, and means, on said handle, effective by movements of the handle, to apply and remove the power from said unit to the mower to propel the same.

2. An attachment, for a lawn mower having a movable handle, comprising a body member, a power wheel thereon, means to drive said wheel, and a pair of clamps for attaching said bod member to the handle of a lawn mower, w ereby said power wheel will be moved into engagement with a ground wheel of the mower, by movement of the handle in one direction relative to said ground wheel.

3. An attachment, for a lawn mower having a movable handle, comprising a body member, a ower wheel thereon, means to drive said w eel, a pair of clamps for attaching said body member to the handle of a lawn mower, whereby said power wheel will be moved into engagement with a ground wheel of the mower, by movement of the handle in one direction relative to said ground wheel and means to adjust said power wheel transversely of the mower.

4. An attachment, for a lawn mower having a movable handle, comprising a body driving power may be utilized in member, a power wheel thereon, means to drive said wheel, a pair of clam s for attaching said body member to the audio of a lawn mower, whereby said power wheel will be moved into enga ement withhigrbund wheel of the mower, y movement of the handle in one direction relative to said ground wheel and means to adjust the position of said attachment relative to the mower.

5.'An attachment, for a lawn mower having a movable handle, comprising a body member, a ower wheel thereon, means to .ing a movable handle, comprising a body member, a ower wheel thereon, means to drive said w eel, a pair of clamps for attaching said body member to the handle of a lawnmower, whereby said power" wheel will be moved into engagement with a ground wheel of the mower, by movement of the handle in one direction relative to said ground wheel, means to adjust the position of said'attachment relative to the mower, means to limit said adjustment.

7. The combination with a lawn mower having a ground wheel and a handle, of a power unit means to detachably mount said unit on said handle, formovement therewith, said unit having an element engageable with the ground wheel in one position of the bandle thereby to apply power from said unit to the mower. I

8. The combination with alarm mower havingaa movable handle, of a power unit, means to detachable mount said unit on the handle for movement therewith, andmeans movable with the handle to appl power from said unit to the mower to d rive the same when said handle is in one, position, and to disconnect the unit from the mower when the'handle is moved to another posi-' tion.' a

9. The combination with a lawn mower havin a handle, of a motor, means to detacha ly mount said motor on the lawn mower handle, means movable with the handle to connect said motor to the mower when the handle is in one position and to discon-.

needs handle, and'means on said handle, includin a power driven wheel on said member loca ed to engage a ground wheel when the handle'is in one position and to clear said ground wheel when the handle is in another position.

r 11. The combination with a lawn mower having ground wheels and a pivoted handle, of a ower unit therefor, comprising a body mem er, means to mount said member on the handle including an adjustable pivot engageable with said body member, and a powerdriven wheel on said member engageable with a round wheel, the position of said unit, re ative to the mowen bein determine by said ad'ustable pivot, an the position of said han le.

12. The combination with a lawn mower having ground wheels and a pivoted handle, of a ower unit therefor, comprising a body mem or means to mount said member on the handle includin an adjustable pivot engageable with sai body member, and a power driven wheel on said member engageable with a ground wheel, the position of said unit, relative to the mower bein determined by said adjustable pivot, and t e position of said handle, and means to prevent detachment of said body member from said adjustable pivot. n

13. In a lawn mower having at. ground wheel and a handle mounted for pivotal movement about an axis spaced from the axis of said ground wheel, a power unit, and means to mount said unit wholly on the handle for movement therewith, into and out of engagement with said ground wheel whereby movement of the handle in one direction will applly power from the unit to the mower to pro e t e same.

14. n a lawn mower having .a ground wheel and a handle mounted for pivotal movement about an axis spaced from the axis of said ground wheel, a power unit, and means mountin said unit wholly on the mower handle in such position that move-,

ment of the handle 'in one direction will apply power from the unit to the mower to .propel the same and movement of the handle in the other direction will remove the application of power;

15. In a lawn mower having a ground wheel and a handle mounted for pivotal movement about an axis seed. from the axis of said ground whee, a power unit having a traction wheel, and means to mount said unit wholly on the handle for movement therewith whereby movement of the handle in one direction will place said traction wheel in engagement with said ground wheel.

16. In a lawn mower having a ground wheel and a handle mounted for pivotal movement about an axis s aced from the axis of said ground whee, a power unit 4 neeaeao having a traction wheel, and means mounting said unit on thevmower handle in'such osit'on that movement of the handle in one ireotion will place said traction wheel in engagement with said ground wheel, and

' movement of the handle in another direcaxis an tion will disengage said'traction and ground wheels. l

1 7. The combination with a lawn mower having ground wheels movable about one axis, an a handle pivoted for movement about another axis, of a power unit, means to detaohably mount said unitonsaid handle, for movement therewith, said unit havin an element on ageable with the round w eel in one position of the handle, t ereby to appl power from said unit to the mower. e

18. he combination with a lawn mower having (ground wheels movable about one a handle pivoted for movement about another axis and through a vertical plane from a lowered position when the mower is at rest into a raised position for propelling the mower, of a power unit means to mount said unit, wholly on said handle, and means including said handle to a ply power from said unit to the ound w eels of the mower, when the hand e is in its raised pro lling position, and to remove application 0 power when said handle is in its lower position of rest.

In testimony whereof I afiix my si nature.

ALBERT G. WAG ER.

CERTIFICATE or connection.

' mm No. 1,866,380. a Jabs-A932.

' ALBERT e. WAGNER.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3. line 45, claim 8, ior "detachable" read detachably'; page 4, line 2. claim i6, aiter "unit" insert the word wholly; and that the said Letters Patent should .be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record oi'the case in a the Patent Office. I

Signed and aealed this 27th day of September, A. D. 1932.

M. J. Moore.

(Seal) Acting Gommiaaioner of i'atents.

4 neeaeao having a traction wheel, and means mounting said unit on thevmower handle in'such osit'on that movement of the handle in one ireotion will place said traction wheel in engagement with said ground wheel, and

' movement of the handle in another direcaxis an tion will disengage said'traction and ground wheels. l

1 7. The combination with a lawn mower having ground wheels movable about one axis, an a handle pivoted for movement about another axis, of a power unit, means to detaohably mount said unitonsaid handle, for movement therewith, said unit havin an element on ageable with the round w eel in one position of the handle, t ereby to appl power from said unit to the mower. e

18. he combination with a lawn mower having (ground wheels movable about one a handle pivoted for movement about another axis and through a vertical plane from a lowered position when the mower is at rest into a raised position for propelling the mower, of a power unit means to mount said unit, wholly on said handle, and means including said handle to a ply power from said unit to the ound w eels of the mower, when the hand e is in its raised pro lling position, and to remove application 0 power when said handle is in its lower position of rest.

In testimony whereof I afiix my si nature.

ALBERT G. WAG ER.

CERTIFICATE or connection.

' mm No. 1,866,380. a Jabs-A932.

' ALBERT e. WAGNER.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3. line 45, claim 8, ior "detachable" read detachably'; page 4, line 2. claim i6, aiter "unit" insert the word wholly; and that the said Letters Patent should .be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record oi'the case in a the Patent Office. I

Signed and aealed this 27th day of September, A. D. 1932.

M. J. Moore.

(Seal) Acting Gommiaaioner of i'atents. 

